Last verified 2026-05-17
Gold Country Senior Services (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Federal ID #94-2436273) helps older adults in Western Nevada County stay healthy, fed, warm, and connected. They've been doing this since 1987 and now deliver more than 100,000 meals a year. [Source: goldcountryservices.org (accessed 2026-05-17)]
What you can get
Meals on Wheels — hot meals delivered to your door
- Who qualifies: Age 60 or older, living in the service area, and unable to shop or cook for yourself. Priority goes to people recently discharged from the hospital or living with a chronic illness.
- Service area: Nevada City, North San Juan, Grass Valley, Penn Valley, Lake Wildwood, Cedar Ridge, Chicago Park, Rough & Ready, Alta Sierra, and Lake of the Pines.
- Cost: Suggested $4 per meal. No one is turned away if they can't pay.
- Schedule: Delivered Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. (no weekends or major holidays).
- What's in it: Entrée, vegetable, fruit, and milk — about one-third of your daily nutrition, planned by a registered dietitian.
- To apply: Call (530) 446-6853. A case manager will set up a short screening before delivery starts. [Source: goldcountryservices.org/meals-on-wheels (accessed 2026-05-17)]
Congregate Lunch Café — lunch at the senior center
- Where: Sierra Gold Community Senior Center, 231 Colfax Ave, Grass Valley.
- When: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday at noon.
- Cost: Suggested $4 for ages 60+; $10 for guests under 60. No eligible senior is denied for inability to pay.
- First time: Fill out a short participant form when you arrive.
- Info: (530) 273-4961. [Source: goldcountryservices.org/congregate-lunch-cafe (accessed 2026-05-17)]
Senior Firewood Program
Volunteers cut, split, and deliver firewood to low-income seniors in Western Nevada County who heat with wood. Apply through the administrative office at (530) 615-4541. [Source: goldcountryservices.org/senior-firewood-program (accessed 2026-05-17)]
Pet Food Pantry & CalFresh help
- Pet Food Pantry: Free pet food so your Meals on Wheels doesn't end up in the dog bowl.
- CalFresh: Staff can help you apply for California's monthly food benefit (formerly food stamps). [Source: goldcountryservices.org/senior-nutrition-program (accessed 2026-05-17)]
Activities, classes, and case management
The Sierra Gold Community Senior Center hosts line dancing, tai chi, bingo, pinochle, memoir workshops, meditation, and health and wellness events. Case managers also help with referrals to other county and state senior services.
How to get help
Office | Address | Phone | Hours |
Sierra Gold Community Senior Center | 231 Colfax Ave, Grass Valley, CA 95945 | (530) 273-4961 | Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–4 p.m. |
Administrative Office | 206 Providence Mine Rd, Suite 118, Nevada City, CA 95959 | (530) 615-4541 | Mon–Thu 9 a.m.–4 p.m. |
Meals on Wheels intake | — | (530) 446-6853 | — |
Mailing | PO Box 968, Grass Valley, CA 95945 | — | — |
Common pitfalls
- Don't wait until you're in crisis. Meals on Wheels intake includes an assessment — it takes a few days. Call before the cupboard is bare.
- The $4 is suggested, not required. Tell the case manager if it's a stretch; service continues either way.
- Delivery skips bad-weather days. In winter, keep a few shelf-stable backups (canned soup, peanut butter) for snow or road-closure days.
- The number for Meals on Wheels (530-446-6853) is different from the senior center line. Use it for intake to avoid getting bounced around.
Sources
- Gold Country Senior Services home page — goldcountryservices.org
- Meals on Wheels page — goldcountryservices.org/meals-on-wheels
- Congregate Lunch Café page — goldcountryservices.org/congregate-lunch-cafe
- Senior Nutrition Program page — goldcountryservices.org/senior-nutrition-program
- All accessed 2026-05-17.